Terminal groins legislation back in play

Legislation regarding the use of terminal groins on North Carolina beaches to control erosion is back in play.

JANNETTE PIPPIN - Daily News Staff

Legislation regarding the use of terminal groins on North Carolina beaches to control erosion is back in play.

The state Senate approved a bill Thursday that changes 2011 legislation that established a pilot project to allow up to four terminal groins, small jetties located at inlets to help control shoreline erosion, to be built along the coast.

The changes eliminate the cap of four groins and remove a number of safeguards and requirements that had previously been approved.

The new legislation now goes to the House of Representatives with support from local beach communities as well as opposition from the N.C. Coastal Federation.

The Coastal Federation said the 2011 bill was a compromise that passed with a number of safeguards, including a state environmental study of projects; proof of finances to provide long-term monitoring and maintenance; or proof that structures that the groins would protect are imminently threatened and that other non-structural options are impractical.

“This essentially guts the compromise bill on groins that was carefully crafted after much debate in 2011,” said Coastal Federation Executive Director Todd Miller via a news release issued by the federation. “That was an attempt at a responsible piece of legislation. This new bill removes all accountability. It allows these damaging structures to be built anywhere and with no regard for who will pay for them or what they may do to public beaches.”

Not everyone sees the bill as a damaging one.

North Topsail Beach Mayor Dan Tuman said lifting the cap and relaxing some of the requirements would give beach communities an additional option for addressing erosion and protecting property.

“That gives our town flexibility if we were to decide a terminal groin was in our town’s best interest in the future,” he said.

The town recently completed a channel relocation and beach nourishment project at New River Inlet. The idea of a terminal groin was mulled in 2011 but never seriously considered due to the requirements.

Tuman said if beach towns can demonstrate a need they should be able to apply for a permit.

“To me it’s either we’re going to allow terminal groins or we’re not going to allow terminal groins,” he said.